Dogs back in Big Rock home after fatal mauling

The two remaining dogs associated with a fatal mauling of a Big Rock woman earlier this month are back home with their owner.

Barb Jeffers, interim executive director of the Kane County Health Department, said a pit bull mix and a boxer were returned to the Big Rock residence Monday following the completion of an investigation by the Kane County Sheriff's office.

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"Between the investigation and consulting with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office we came to the determination that we didn't have any legal obligations to continue to hold the remaining dogs," Jeffers said.

"We have to meet a criteria to determine if a dog is dangerous. We did not meet that criteria in this case. So the dogs were released back to the owner."

County authorities euthanized a bull mastiff also owned by the Big Rock family last week. Police believe Dawn Brown, 44, was killed by the 6-year-old male mastiff. Brown's husband found her with massive injuries in the basement of their home Nov. 12. Authorities have suggested she may have been killed while trying to break up a fight between the mastiff and the other two dogs. Neither the pit bull mix nor the boxer had any injuries, authorities have said.

The Kane County Sheriff's office did not immediately respond Tuesday to an interview request about the investigation.

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